Serenity

Building a personal savings portfolio

July 03, 2013 by TIna

We are all being encouraged to save for our futures, while at the same time many of us feel discouraged by low interest rates and returns on our savings. Critically, many of us see the value of our savings over time, just not keeping up with inflation – we feel that what we put away shrinks in real terms, rather than growing. What’s the point in saving for something that will actually turn out to cost more later on – why not buy now?

July Market Commentary

July 01, 2013 by TIna

Category: Market commentary & Uncategorized

June saw the G8 summit taking place in Northern Ireland – but amid the talk of recession, tax evasion and the cost of the security, it was the fate of two men that stole the headlines.

American hero – or whistleblower, depending on your stance – Edward Snowden was holed up, first in Hong Kong and then in the departure lounge at Moscow airport, having revealed the full extent of NSA surveillance of American citizens.

Getting divorced can reduce retirement income prospects

June 28, 2013 by TIna

Category: pensions & savings & Uncategorized

Prudential’s Class of 2013 research, the latest of its annual studies into the financial plans and expectations of people planning to retire in the next year, has for the first time looked at the impact of divorce on retirement finances.

Income tax higher rate threshold changes

June 28, 2013 by TIna

Category: Tax & Uncategorized

Changes by the Government to the ‘higher rate threshold’, which is the level of income after which taxpayers begin to pay the 40 per cent higher rate of tax, mean that it will increase by 1 per cent, for 2014/15 and 2015/16 to £41,865 and £42,285 respectively.

The single-tier state pension

June 26, 2013 by TIna

Category: Economy & pensions & Uncategorized

In April 2013, the Government published plans to reform the current state pension into a simple Single-Tier Pension (STP), which subject to the agreement of Parliament, will be in place for people retiring after the 6th April 2016. If you reach State Pension age before that date you will receive your state pension in line with existing rules.

Retire or work on?

June 26, 2013 by TIna

Category: pensions & savings & Uncategorized

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) in June 2013 show that there are now more than one million over 65s continuing to work and earn after passing their anticipated point of retirement. This is the highest number since the ONS started collating this data in 1971.

Our insights

Building a personal savings portfolio

July Market Commentary

Getting divorced can reduce retirement income prospects

Income tax higher rate threshold changes

The single-tier state pension

Retire or work on?

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